Why did Henry VIII marry a 6th time when he knew he was impotent?

Question

Why did Henry VIII marry a 6th time when he knew he was impotent?

Answer 1

Was he?

Suppose he was hoping that things would be looking up for him in the future. They didn't entirely understand reproduction in those days any way.

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Do you mean impotent or infertile?

Answer 2

To keep up appearances and have someone take care of him and to have a protector for his children after he died.

Answer 3

I'm not sure how you would know that "he knew he was impotent"...did he record this somewhere? It hardly seems like something he'd be telling his pals about ? And even if he did, there is no reason why he wouldn't marry again. Plenty of impotent men get married, for all sorts of reasons like companionship. I believe that his 6th marriage was very happy, as Catherine Parr was a very good woman who looked after him like a mother. Maybe that was the attraction.

Answer 4

To keep up appearances.

Answer 5

He wanted to be head of the Catholic church and earn more power. And he also wanted a son, but none of the wives gave him one apart from the last one.

=] x*x

Answer 6

where did you get the idea that the father of KingEdward, Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth was  "impotent?

Answer 7

Henry the VIII never conceded to impotence. He believed himself to be bigger than the pope, and being so close to God there is no way any of that unfortunte circumstance could be his fault. He married to have an heir and if he could not get fully aroused anymore it was the woman's fault.

( For the may people above me who say he wasn't impotens. His health in later years made him impotent , as told in many History books. Yes he sired many children, but in his younger years. Many men do and as they get older they can't do it anymore. They didn't have viagra back then though. Today we call impotence erectile dysfunction)

Answer 8

this isnt based on the series "the Tudors" is it?

if it is, it is historically inaccurate. It has never been proven one way or the other if Henry was impotent.

Answer 9

if you were the King, you wouldn't want a whole empire with colonies to know that your childless marriage is your fault, would'ya?

Answer 10

didn't he want a male heir? Am not so sure he was impotent what about the women?

Answer 11

He was insecure.

Answer 12

She had a pretty mouth.

Answer 13

He liked the number 6.

Answer 14

The axe was sharp?  Maybe companionship.  Someone to pop his big zit on his leg?

Answer 15

was he? he had 3 children, 1 boy and 2 girls, so he was neither inpotent or infertile, though perhaps after 5 wives getting it up might have become a problem

Answer 16

I don't know if he was impotent, but even if he was he would probably have hoped to revive his interest by getting married again.  Kings usually expected to be married anyway, I don't think many kings went without a wife.

Answer 17

King Henry VIII was not impotent, he and his wife Catherine of Aragon had six children in total, however, three were stillborn daughters and two infant sons who died within hours of birth, their only surviving child was Princess Mary Tudor. The marriage seems to have been a happy one until Henry became seriously worried about producing a male heir to his throne as she approached menopause. Henry's second wife Anne Boleyn gave birth to their only surviving healthy child, Princess Elizabeth Tudor, and three more miscarriages following that. It was Henry's third wife Jane Seymour who actually gave him the son he had longed for, the future King Edward VI. In addition to Henry’s legitimate offspring, he also sired at least one illegitimate son, whom he recognized and titled him as Duke of Richmond, and four other reputed illegitimate offspring. Henry was definitely not impotent, however, it was the poor health care and available medicine that affected the fertility rate, and mortality rate of young children.

Answer 18

to give a new meaning to infidelity

Answer 19

Because to admit it would be too shameful, so he kept pretending it wasn't his fault?

I am guessing here. It just seems like the kind of thing that men (especially important ones) in that age would do.

Lol, silly Henry

Answer 20

He had Two daughters and one son and also several illegitimate children.

He wanted an heir to the throne and he kept trying for a boy with different wives.